Economists see the continued gains in inventories as a sign of business confidence that demand will remain strong in coming months.

Steven Wood, an economist at Insight Economics, said sales had been growing at solid rates prior to February’s decline. He said that suggests strong demand, which should provide support for manufacturing in coming months.

Manufacturers have seen rising demand in the United States and overseas as the dollar has fallen against other currencies. That has made U.S. exports cheaper.

The Institute for Supply Management reported last week that manufacturing expanded in March for a 20th straight month.